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As tempting as it may be to host a date in your apartment in the comforts of your (super-sexy) Cubs Snuggie, the dating world doesn’t go on hold just because the thermometers dip below zero. The good news is there are plenty of hot dates to be had in the cold of Chicago winter. So bundle up and get cozy with these can’t-miss winter date ideas.

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Take in some live comedy

Second City is, of course, the granddaddy of comedy-themed date nights, but good times can also be had for fewer dollars (and fewer people from Iowa) at indie comedy venues like the Cornservatory or regular stand-up nights like Timothy O’Toole’s “Comedians You Should Know” (see full list here). Fortunately, comedy shows tend to be pretty cheap dates.

Lace up the skates and hit the ice

Options for winter ice skating used to be fairly limited in Chicago, but these days in addition to Millennium Park you can now lace up at outdoor venues like Maggie Daley Park and The Park at Wrigley, not to mention local parks like Wentworth Park where you can try (and fail) to reenact the closing scene from Serendipity. It won't be hard to find free skating on the schedules, but keep in mind you'll have to pay for rentals (or bring your own).

Snuggle at a fireplace bar

Drinking at a fireplace bar is a rite of passage during Chicago winter, but not all fireplace bars are created equal. Hubbard Inn offers two fireplace lounges on two floors, while Moody’s Pub is a romantic medieval castle-like favorite. Get the full rundown here.

Keep it on the lowdown at a secret bar

Show off how cool you are with your in-depth knowledge of Chicago’s secret bars. Since knowing that the mural on Damen in Wicker Park opens up to Violet Hour is no longer considered insider information, Booze Box is a sexy bet, The Office is uber-swank, and East Room is not technically secret but does lack proper signage.

Two words: Ski trip

Take your date to the next level with either a day trip to a local ski “resort” like Villa Olivia or the newly renovated Wilmot Mountain, or test your relationship with an overnight trip a bit further afield somewhere like Devil’s Head or Cascade Mountain. We recommend Boyne Mountain for some of the best skiing in the area. This may be a pricier option, but the real question is: Can you really handle 10 hours in the car together?

Nerd out at bar trivia

If your ideal date involves demonstrating what a stable genius you are, show off your deep base of useless knowledge at one of the many bar trivia nights around town. The Globe Pub is the granddaddy on the scene, Reggie’s is a great Monday night spot for sports and music trivia, and Simone’s is a standout choice for Q&A trivia Tuesday nights.

Get on your back on a sledding hill

There may not be massive mountains to navigate in Chicago, but you can still tap your inner child through a variety of sledding hills in and around the city. Some of the best options in the city include the Dan Ryan Woods, Palmisano Park, and Caldwell Woods, while the burbs offer an array of hills like James Park in Evanston and Riverside’s Swan Pond.

Go for dinner and a movie (duh)

The stylish, recently revamped Logan Theatre is always a solid date choice, but becomes even better in winter thanks to their “Jolly January” late-night movie series. If you’re looking to get a bit more rowdy, Brew & View is never a bad idea, while a fancy dine-in movie theater like AMC Dine-In Block 37 is the ultimate low-pressure, two birds/one stone lazy afternoon out.

Test your mettle on a winter hike

The 606 isn’t just for summertime. Take in the fresh air on a winter stroll along the 2.7-mile elevated path from Bucktown to Humboldt Park (with plenty of bars and restaurants nearby), or hold hands as you gaze out into a frozen yet eerily beautiful and quietly calm Lake Michigan along the 18-mile Lakefront Trail.

Engage in some stupid winter sports

In honor of the Winter Olympics, get your Canadian bowling fix at the rooftop curling rink at The Gwen ($25/person with a free cocktail) or get really involved in the old man winter sport of kings at the Chicago Curling Club (yes, this exists -- but it's more expensive for serious lessons). You can also shoot bows and arrows in Humboldt Park at Archery Bow Range Chicago or chuck axes at the wall at joints like Bad Axe (both are $20/hour for walk-ins, with cheaper rates for groups and other options too).

Pretend it's summer at a tiki bar

There is perhaps no easier winter date than at one of Chicago's fine tiki bars: immediately fun, warm, and cozy, the only way you can screw this up is to start talking politics. Three Dots and a Dash and Lost Lake are among the most famous in the city, but alarmingly fun times can also be had outside city limits at popular suburban hangs like Hala Kahiki and Chef Shangri-La.

Get smart at a boozy bookstore

A bookstore may not sound like the most exciting date in the world, but places like Lincoln Park’s Kibbitznest are tailor-made for winter. With a front room stacked with newspapers and magazines, a bar stocked with everything from Chicago dogs to Irish coffee, and a back game room, a quick stop in from the cold here can quickly turn into three hours gone by in a flash.

Scale cliffs at an indoor rock climbing facility

Not only is a place like Brooklyn Boulders the ideal location to scale fake rocks when it’s too cold to tangle with the real thing, it also cultivates a fun scene with a regular slate of events including pizza parties, movie nights, yoga, and more. A full day pass is just $25.

Join the circus at Aloft Loft

One of the most awesomely weird spaces in the city, Aloft Loft is located in a 109-year-old Logan Square church and offers a variety of circus performances and classes in everything from aerial arts and trapeze to contortion and clowning. If your relationship can survive a clown class, it can survive anything. Check the schedule for pricing and classes.

Feel the heat with somebody at Garfield Park Conservatory

No matter where you are in the city, it’s guaranteed to be warmer in the Garfield Park Conservatory, which is brimming with lush plant life year-round. After a winter of staring at gray skies and barren concrete, the vibrant greenery is a sight for sore eyes. Admission is totally free, but leaving a donation at the door can't hurt your chances with your date.

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Get intimate inside the comforts of a drinking dome

Instead of (or in addition to) a winter rooftop bar or hot new restaurant, another solid option to get to know your date while experiencing the magic of winter (without all the cold) is to snuggle up in an outdoor drinking igloo at places like the I|O Godfrey, where you can sip hot drinks like the Jameson- and heat-infused Godfrey Toddy while exploring its “Winter Wonderland” rooftop log cabin.

Dance with Lady Luck at an area casino

Chicago may not be known as a gambling mecca per se, but the city is surrounded by a variety of casinos that can make for a fun alternative to the standard dinner-and-a-movie routine. Hit up suburban casinos like Rivers Casino, Harrah’s, and Grand Victoria, or ride the shuttle to places like Horseshoe Hammond and try to get lucky in more ways than one. Some free advice: Don't spring this one on a first date unless you know you're both high rollers.

Attack the pins at a bowling alley

In the wise words of that dashing Casanova Walter Sobchak: “Fuck it, Dude. Let’s go bowling.” This indoor sport where you're encouraged to drink is one of the great fun equalizers we have on this planet. Luckily, Chicago is brimming with lively bowling options like Diversey River Bowl and Southport Lanes. Or, if you prefer your bowling with more weird bumper cars, a winter date to Whirlyball is clearly calling your name.

Unleash your inner Picasso over a bottle of wine

Painting parties paired with wine are the name of the game at uber date-friendly spots like Bottle & Bottega. If you can’t seal the deal after this date, something must have gone seriously wrong (let’s hope it wasn’t your art).

Learn the art of the tease at a burlesque show

Chicago’s burlesque bona fides are not to be questioned, and you can sex up your night out with a visit to one of the city’s many burlesque stomping grounds like Untitled or The Drifter. Stop by the store to pick up a few tassels and feathers if you want to try and recreate the experience at home.

See a concert in a living room

It’s always great to see a concert at a major venue like the Riv or Aragon, but if you’re looking to save a few shekels while still partaking in the live music experience, there’s no shortage of great bars with live shows in Chicago. And as much as we love Quenchers and the California Clipper, we simply cannot end this paragraph without recommending The Hideout. Or if you’d rather see live music in the comfort of your own living room, check out Sofar Sounds.

Dive under the covers at a blanket fort party

If you’re in the mood for partying in your super badass Avengers pajamas, Blanket Fort is a new variety show in the Flat Iron Arts Building that combines pajamas and a BYOP (bring your own pillow) policy with improv, sketch, music, stand-up, and other weirdness every second Sunday of the month. Admission is just $5.

Plot your getaway from an escape room

When on a date, it’s always good to have an escape plan in case things go sideways. But instead of faking an emergency, book a trip to a local escape room like Room X Escape where you can choose your own adventure like trying to escape an old house with secret treasure before the creepy pirate returns for his stash.

A night at the museum

Every third Thursday of the month, Adler After Dark welcomes in couples for themed events that include live entertainment, museum access, unlimited sky shows, and some of the best skyline views in the city. General admission is just $8/person.

Head underground to navigate the city

The Chicago Pedway was created for the very purpose of navigating the city to lessen the impact of the cold and snow of winter, so it’s the perfect place to explore this season with an adventurous date. You can also hop on the L and scour the city for burgers, if that’s your thing (hint: it’s your thing).

Get really weird around the city

If you’re looking to get weird in Chicago, a date to an off-the-beaten-path location like the International Museum of Surgical Science is a pretty good bet. You can also check out a leather museum with its own dungeon, screening room, and leather bar. Fortunately, we have a guide to weird things that will make this an easy search. Our quirks bring us closer, after all.

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